Growing up in The Warren — gnomish slums in a big, human, city — Garryn Silversong has one goal. He wants to become a powerful wizard and use that power to rescue himself, his mother and his best friend from the dream-destroying poverty they are forced to exist in.
Armed with only a harp, a stolen book about arcane theory, and single-minded determination, Garryn claws his way up from obscurity, becoming a household name.
But when unimaginable tragedy comes to The Warren, Garryn discovers there are things that fame and money cannot buy. Will he find a way to protect those who are most important to him or he will spiral down into oblivion, taking them with him?
Order Now:
“I loved how the characters’ struggles were both deeply personal and rooted in oppressive systems beyond their control, making their trials and triumphs that much more heartbreaking and satisfying. The narrative framing was excellent and the world felt very vivid — real enough to hit me where it hurts but fantastical enough to let me assess it on its own without preconceptions. The flawed but lovable characters kept me hooked, and the twists were surprising and so fitting.”
“Amazing book full of so much heart and emotion.
Garryn’s character is so interesting and complex.
I strongly recommend for people who love books with deep characters, rich world building and ideas that stay with you after you put it down.
Can’t wait to read more books set in this world in the future!”
“Prolific Edmonton-based author, anthologist, and editor Rhonda Parrish pulls us into a world of music, magic, and revenge in Silversong, the latest addition to her impressive body of work.
Garryn Silversong is a refugee, one of thousands of gnomes forced to flee their homes when war breaks out. At first welcomed in the city of Mournborough, the gnomes now live in poverty and squalor, crammed into a densely populated shantytown known as The Warren. Growing up in the shadow of Paxwerth Academy, a prestigious school of magic that requires exceptional magical ability and a lot of money for entrance, Garryn and his best friend Lildira spend their days busking for extra coin. But Garryn wants more: enough food and firewood, a house with real walls, a better life for his mother and Lildira. His goal: to rise above circumstance, earn his place at Paxwerth, and become one of Mournborough’s most respected citizens—a wizard.
Garryn has nothing but an old spell book and a lot of determination, but when Lildira’s safety is threatened and a chance encounter with a beautiful gnome opens the door to an unexpected opportunity, Garryn is forced to decide how far he’s willing to go to protect those he loves—and what kind of man he’s destined to become. As magic and morality collide, Silversong transforms from a tale of ambition into one of identity, loyalty, and loss.
Parrish is a rare voice in fantasy: sharp, empathetic, and deeply attuned to the humanity within her magic. She has a gift for creating distinct character voices and heartbreakingly relatable fantasy worlds. Perhaps best known for editing speculative fiction anthologies, she brings that same curatorial precision to her own writing. Well-balanced in its tone, Silversong is sometimes tragic, but never feels too heavy. Characters are beautifully flawed, actions and decisions have real consequences, and sometimes, things can’t be fixed (but sometimes, they can). This bittersweet truth hums at the core of Silversong, reminding readers that redemption and ruin often share the same stage. The result is an achingly human story that will make you feel all the emotions, without feeling manipulated.
With vibrant prose and humour, Parrish challenges us to think about how easily we might lose everything, how far we might go to survive, and how many ways love might change the trajectory of our lives. Perfect for readers who crave realism in their fantasy, joy in their sorrow, and a touch of magic in their revenge, Silversong cements Parrish as a versatile voice in fantasy fiction. A story of resilience, rebellion, and the melodies that echo long after the final spell is cast.”
